Preview: Gillingham v Doncaster Rovers

Liam Hoden

All of a sudden it is starting to look a lot more healthy for Doncaster Rovers.

There was last weekend’s first league win and the continued penalty shootout success in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

But more importantly, the squad is looking healthier too.

Paul Keegan came through 45 minutes unscathed against Burton Albion and could make his league return at Gillingham this weekend.

Cameron Stewart looks set to provide a lively presence on the flanks while there is real competition in the middle of the park with new boy Oscar Gobern set to fight it out with Harry Middleton and Richard Chaplow.

Such competition presents Dickov with not only a selection headache but a quandary over team shape.

The switch to 4-4-2 has rejuvinated Rovers and taken a lot of pressure off the shoulders of Andy Williams.

But that will leave four central midfielders competing for two slots and two high quality, dangerous players set to miss out.

The possibility of a five man midfield would offer a more robust defensive unit away from home against a Gillingham side that has flown out of the blocks this season.

And it would also allow for a player to assigned watchman duties against Bradley Dack, who has been lethal so far this term.

Gills boss Justin Edinburgh has generally opted for a variance between 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2 diamond, delivering an unbeaten start to the campaign.

In both scenarios, Dack is deployed in an attacking midfield role. The 21-year-old has struck five times in seven appearances this season. Keeping him quiet will be vital to Rovers’ hopes of returning from the long trip with something to show for their efforts.